Michael Odokara-Okigbo ’12, who starred with the Dartmouth Aires on NBC’s The Sing-Off in 2011, is now pursuing a singing and acting career in Los Angeles. (photo courtesy of Michael Odokara-Okigbo ’12)

The program was co-produced by Hop Director of Student Performance Programs Joshua Price Kol ’93 and Dartmouth College Gospel Choir Director Walt Cunningham, whom Odokara-Okigbo cites as a mentor during his undergraduate years. In this video, the Maine native tells Chidi Anyadike ’13, the Office of Public Affairs’ Whitney Campbell Intern, that he had planned to be a plastic surgeon when he entered Dartmouth. But after working on his singing technique with Cunningham as a member of the gospel choir and as the 2009 Dartmouth Idol winner (a singing competition that Cunningham directs), Odokara-Okigbo began to consider the performing arts as a career. His breakout performances on The Sing-Off cemented that decision.

Odokara-Okigbo, a history major and a former member of the heavyweight crew team, talks to Anyadike about what he’s been doing since commencement and his upcoming concert at Room 5 in Los Angeles, on October 22. Additionally, he talks about Cunningham and his other Dartmouth influences, including Department of Theater Senior Lecturer and Producing Artistic Director of the New London (N.H.) Barn Playhouse Carol Dunne.